Palin defenders say she has good reason to be dismissive of elite critics. |
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After Fox News host Bill O’Reilly cited comments Krauthammer had made about her reality show in an interview with Palin in December, the Alaskan replied in a fake English accent: “Oh, I’m sorry that I’m not so hoity-toity.” (Related: Sarah Palin to Bill O'Reilly: Don't interrupt!)

Palin defenders say she has good reason to be dismissive of elite critics — she has outpaced their low expectations at every turn. And while intellectuals may disdain identity politics in theory, in practice nearly all successful national politicians in both parties succeed in part by striking a populist chord — catering to the pride of targeted groups and giving voice to their grievances. So far, Palin has been uncommonly effective at channeling the anti-Washington, anti-establishment energy powering the right since Obama’s election. (Related: Republicans learn cost of attacking Sarah Palin)

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But Palin’s skeptics said a successful presidential candidacy would need to be buoyed by genuine policy vision, not merely grievance. For now, however, Palin’s appeal is largely rooted in the sympathy she’s gleaned from her loudly voiced resentments toward the left, the news media and the GOP establishment.

“The appeal of conservatism is supposed to be people taking responsibility for their own actions,” said Labash. “But if you close your eyes and listen to Palin and her most irate supporters constantly squawk or bellyache or tweet about how unfair a ride she gets from evil mustache-twirling elites and RINO saboteurs, she sounds like a professional victimologist, the flip side of any lefty grievance group leader. She’s becoming Al Sharpton, Alaska edition. The only difference being, she wears naughty-librarian glasses instead of a James Brown ‘do.”

Right-leaning intellectuals have been wary of Palin dating back to when John McCain tapped her to be on the 2008 GOP ticket, believing then that her selection amounted to naked identity politics on the part of a desperate and less-than conservative Republican nominee. (Related: McCain's endorsement: Don't hold your breath)

“Thanks a lot, John McCain,” wrote Mac Donald at the time. “With his selection of an unknown, two-year female governor as his running mate, he has just ensured that the diversity racket will be an essential component of presidential politics forever more.”

Over two years later, Mac Donald, a scholar at the Manhattan Institute, said of Palin: “She is living up to the most skeptical assessment of her.”

“Practicing identity politics completely undercuts the idea that you don’t have to be white to govern whites or black to govern blacks and that gender and chromosomes are completely irrelevant job qualifications,” said Mac Donald. “It’s just a total rejection of a very important principle which is that race, gender and class don’t matter.”

Asked specifically about Palin’s attempt to woo women through her “Mama Grizzlies” appeals, Mac Donald sighed and complained about “the feminist strain” among even conservative females.
“A lot of women have it, unfortunately,” she said.

Voicing the conservative ideal, Mac Donald said: “The public should stop wanting to see itself reflected in a leader. There is something narcissistic about that. It’s really irrelevant if a political leader has any affinity with my life. The only thing that should matter are ideas, experience and executive ability.”

This has to be one of the most hilarious articles Politico has posted regarding Palin. Citing George Will and Krauthammer as having any residual influence in the Conservative movement can only result in astonishment that anyone with any understanding of what's going on would include them in the discussion. Palin is rocking and will rock their world, they know it and are terrified.

This stupid "victimhood" meme put forth is laughable, Clinton had a "WAR ROOM" to defend him. Was he accused of claiming "victimhood". Geraldine Ferraro didn't respond to attacks and vanished from the political scene. The Palin camp's motto is 'NO FREE SHOTS AT PALIN' and her critics are squealing. Self defense is not claiming victimhood.

The DC elites have lost and are losing credibility on a daily basis and Politico's pathetic attempt here to bolster their status is a waste of effort.

The Elite Journalists may want to stigmatize Sarah Palin. Sarah if you are reading liberal blogs like this , please keep on speaking out. We need someone voicing the concerns of traditional americans.. You know, the ones that do not live or work in the bubble called Washington.. Thank you, Sarah

The article complains further that Governor Palin is in the main into 'identity politics' or 'victimology' etc instead of putting forward some deep policy visions. This is unintentionally hilarious. Has any other Republican standard bearer has as much and such effective influence on framing the national debate on such a wide range of policy issues--energy independence? Healthcare reform? Missile defense? Quantitative easing? Deficit reduction? Foreign policy? Who coined the words 'death panels', 'enemy centric',etc. I feel that I know exactly what Sarah Palin's policy stances are on the whole spectrum of policy. I haven't the foggiest notion what Mitt Romney stands for. Furthermore, on so many of these policy issues Palin does not just talk. She has done it effectively, as anyone who cares to examine her first 16 months as Gov of Alaska know (that is if they are honest). It is amusing to seen Christie or Daniels touted as GOP hopefuls because of their 'tough' fiscal stances. Yet, though on a smaller scale, Palin' actual record of fiscal rectitude and restraint greatly surpasses them all. They did when they had not other choice. She did it in the 'good times' when she could have succumbed to pressure and have spent, spent, spent.

I caution all you left leaning authors. Be careful what you wish for. The Left Wing has done well gaining office and power by playing the "Victim Card". Trying to pin it on the Right might be less beneficial to you than you think.

However, Sarah Palin is a victim of no one but herself. And the left wing hating her and expressing this is not going to win her any elections; to think so is stupid. And yes, right wingers, especially teabaggers, do 'play the victim' frequently, whining and crying whenever their own tactics get noticed and discussed, or even turned on them.

This is a very interesting article and I think the conservative intellectuals have a valid point and worry. It is clear the star conservative intellectuals are using what political weight they have to quash Palin's campaign before it officially gets off the ground. They are trying to disuade her to give up the notion of announcing her intention to run. If she does declare, these and other conservatives (of principles and ideas) will do what they can to destroy her ability to win the Republican nomination. Other establishment Republicans will join them, since Sarah is not shy about attacking the Republican Party -- even going so far as to say, "We are giving the party one last chance to get it right." It is not only independents and Democrats and far left liberals that are afraid of a Palin presidency of ignorance and incompetence. Palin could probably still be successful if she learns from the conservative criticism and quits playing the defensive, bitter victim and becomes a happy warrior instead. But I don’t think she’s temperamentally or intellectually capable of that.

It's worth noting that when people disagree with an article, they don't attack its merits. The only thing mentioned is that they must be left wing nut jobs. Why not discuss the jist of this article, mainly that Sarah Palin has become a big whiner....like most of the left sees Al Sharpton. Al Sharpton has some good points, as Sarah Palin has, but they both are the biggest whiners in politics.

George Will is really complaining about growing anti-intellectualism in the Republican Party. Anti-intellectualism has always been the Republicans' (out-of-power) game: they defund science whenever they can. They don't believe in evolution, climate change, or evidence based conclusions. Instead, they believe in conspiracy theories--which exploit and exacerbate their (and their followers') lack of critical thinking skills. This--not the deficit, etc.--will be the end of America. Look for more fear in the future. Free-floating fear--along with an aging population and lack of investment in education--is what marks the decline of great civilizations.